Around Town: 'Hot Havana Night' for PVs Around Town: 'Hot Havana Night' for PVs (September 21, 2005)

The Peninsula Volunteers will transform the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto into "Club Tropicana" on Saturday, October 1, for the group's Hot Havana Night benefit.

The evening will include a Cuban dinner, floor show and after-dinner dancing to the music of Dick Bright and his orchestra.

A week at the Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, and a week at the Palmetto in South Carolina, will be among the items at a live auction. Jewelry from Erin MacGeraghty, Gleim/Johnson, and Steve Padis Jewelry Plus will also be auctioned.

Linda Drew and Pat Grillos are co-chairmen of the auction. Tickets are $175. Proceeds benefit the programs provided by Peninsula Volunteers, including Meals on Wheels, Little House, the Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center, and Rosener House Adult Day Services.

For information, call 326-0665, ext. 238.
OICW celebrates 40 years of training people for jobs

Opportunities Industrialization Center West -- better known as OICW -- will celebrate 40 years of training people and placing them in jobs with an open house Thursday, September 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1200 O'Brien Drive in Menlo Park.

Since Father John Sweeny first recognized that a job-training center started by the Rev. Leon Sullivan in Philadelphia could be a model to help solve unemployment problems in East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park, OICW has helped more than 100,000 Bay Area residents gain skills and jobs.

"People come to OICW because they know we are just like a home away from home," said Elizabeth "Lizz" Moala, a former trainee who now works with OICW's Youth Program. "The open house is our way of saying come on in."

The party will include a barbecue prepared by students in OICW's culinary arts program, a birthday cake, live music, tours, and a face-painting clown for the children.

The program is free, and there's plenty of parking. People who want to come should call 330-6429, or e-mail svea@oicw.org.
Kitchen tour

A tour of five Palo Alto kitchens will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 24, to benefit the Avenidas Senior Center. Tickets for the self-guided tour are $25 in advance and $30 at the door on tour day. Advance tickets may be purchased at Avenidas, 450 Bryant St. in Palo Alto, or by calling 494-7350.
Republican Women

Tony Strickland, candidate for the office of state controller, will be guest speaker at the Peninsula Republican Women luncheon Wednesday, September 28, starting at 11:30 a.m. at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club.

Reservations are required by Friday, September 23. For information and reservations, call Virginia Luna at 854-6483.
Gamble Garden dinner

A dinner featuring California cuisine will be held Wednesday, September 21, on the Carriage House patio at Gamble Garden. The evening is sponsored by Friends of Gamble Garden. Continental Caterers is preparing the dinner at a cost of $75 per person. Gamble Garden is located at 1431 Waverley St. in Palo Alto. For information, call 329-1356, ext. 23.

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